Federico Higuain’s career has taken him around the world, but one place close to home has eluded him. The native of Argentina has never played for his country’s national team despite a body of work that led the Crew to sign him to a designated-player contract last summer.

As Higuain, 28, rested in Buenos Aires during the offseason, his agent made a call to Crew technical director Brian Bliss with a surprising request.

“His agent said, ‘Hey, just thinking … what’s the path for him to get citizenship? Could he play for the national team for the U.S.?’ ” Bliss said.

The answer involves enough time to render the scenario all but impossible, but it provides a piece of significant insight into the Spanish-speaking, always-smiling Higuain: He loves it here.

“Even though I’ve only been here for a short period of time, me, my wife and my kids really love living in this country,” Higuain said through a translator. “This country allows us the will to do anything we want, to feel free on and off the field. “Professionally, it’s a great opportunity for me playing with a great club, so that’s a reason why, even though it’s been a short period of time, we love being in Columbus and being in the States.”

After a negotiation process that was all but dead on more than one occasion, Higuain signed as the Crew’s third designated player in history hours before the summer transfer window closed. The forward made his Major League Soccer debut on Aug. 19 and was named MLS Newcomer of the Year after posting five goals and seven assists in 13 games, nearly willing the Crew into the playoffs.

But while he was adapting to his new teammates on the field, Higuain also was quickly assimilating into the culture. He and his wife, Veronica, have two sons: Santino, who is 3, and Nicolino, who was born just before Higuain signed with the Crew. Higuain calls himself a reader of biographies and said he and his wife enjoy cooking and having friends over to their home in New Albany. When they step out, they shop at local malls such as Easton Town Center.

“It’s a really family-oriented city,” he said. “We enjoy every moment of it. It makes us feel safe. There’s no problem being on the street or going out, and we hope to stay in Columbus for a long period of time.”

Last fall, Higuain took in an Ohio State football game. And aside from being impressed by “No. 5” — quarterback Braxton Miller — he had a unique take on the atmosphere at Ohio Stadium after years of playing in the highest levels of Argentine soccer.

“The passion was there” at Ohio State, he said. “The atmosphere was great, but the difference is that, here, they understand that it’s a sport. In my country, they don’t understand that players are going to make mistakes and teams are going to lose.”

Although he has watched only a handful of football games, Higuain knew enough to win a Super Bowl bet with teammate Andy Gruenebaum.

“I saw commercials about Ray Lewis, so I thought that with that guy on the field, the Ravens would win the Super Bowl,” he said.

Higuain speaks only a few phrases in English but plans to take classes this spring. The language barrier has not stopped him from becoming a candidate to be named team captain this season.

“He’s a star player, so I think that adds value and credibility to our club, to soccer in central Ohio, if you will,” team president and general manager Mark McCullers said. “I think he brings that level of credibility and star power that has a lot of intrinsic value.”

And although time will show whether Higuain proves to be a long-term contributor or a flash in the pan, veteran defender Danny O’Rourke likes the Crew’s early returns.

“He’s all smiles all the time,” O’Rourke said of Higuain. “He’s just a good professional. When you bring in players from other cultures, that’s what you’re looking for. We don’t know how Higuain is going to pan out on the field, but you sure can speak very highly of how he carries himself off the field.”